If you’re following the Amanda Curtis campaign for U.S. Senate from Montana then you know she’s got a new campaign manager. Yep, his name’s Clayton Elliott and you probably got an email from him today at 9:15.

If you’re anything like me you’re wondering why someone named Clayton Elliott would be sending you something that says “The time is now” and perhaps also why in the hell your junk email filter didn’t catch that.Should I click on it? Does it have a virus? Is it after my bank account? Didn’t I have enough shit to deal with today already? Don’t worry – it’s just part of the Democrats’ terrible email tactics. Clayton Elliott is a friend…right? I mean, gosh darn, there sure isn’t a whole lot out there on him! But I went looking nonetheless and this is what I came up with.

Clayton Elliott's Early Life

Twitter Profile Image

Clayton Elliott was born in Wyoming and in 2004 attended the University of Wyoming, earning a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a dual-major of Environment and Natural Resources in 2008.

That fall he headed to the University of Michigan and in 2010 earned a Master’s degree in Environmental Policy. His thesis at Michigan was titled Organizational Lessons from Bureaucratic Innovation at the Field Level in the Bureau of Land Management: Integrating Mule Deer Habitat Management and the Oil and Gas Leasing Process on the Public Landscape.

Elliott decided to put his education to action by joining the Northern Plains Resource Council shortly after graduation.

Northern Plains Resource Council

For a time Clayton Elliott was the lead lobbyist and community organizer for the Northern Plains Resource Council, which is...an organization that lobbies. Elliott began working there in 2010 and headed-up the Helena office to better influence state government. During the legislature he was the organization’s main lobbyist. In December 2012 the Northern Plains Resource Council bused 45 people from Montana to Spokane to plead with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to think about Montana’s environment when it comes to coal train shipments through the state. I like that they’re using legitimate means to draw attention to their issue, not protests on the tracks like have been done lately, and which turn people away from the issue and lessen the chances that anything will get done. I lived in China and saw each day the poor air that all their coal emissions bring. Mainly it’s due to all the cars now hitting the roads there, and while they’re making some inroads dealing with their emissions problems, it’s not enough. I’m glad organizations like the Northern Plains Resource Council recognizes that as well, and at least in 2012, was going about it the right way. By August 2014, however, they were suing Department of the Interior claiming the agency didn’t seek public comments before expanding coal mining at Spring Creek mine, located right on the border with Wyoming near Sheridan. I’m not sure that’s the answer, but it is a tactic.

The Pride Foundation

In August of 2012 Elliott’s name comes up as a co-host of a Pride Foundation fundraiser at a downtown Helena art gallery. The Pride Foundation is a national organization operating in several western states, including Montana. They support LGBTQ equality and have been awarding grants in Montana since the 90s. Currently Democratic legislator from Missoula, Bryce Bennet, and Aaron Browning of Hilltop Public Solutions are two of the leading members in Montana. Obviously Clayton Elliott was associated with them at some point…and is that a bad thing? I figure LGBT folks have enough problems to worry about as it is and organizations like this that can make their lives easier are a good thing. And is anyone really surprised that Amanda Curtis would support LGBT issues? I’m not – I’d expect her to.

Montana League of Rural Voters

For a time Clayton Elliott was the Outreach Director for the Montana League of Rural Voters, a non-profit organization that lobbies on behalf of energy and agricultural policies that benefit hardworking Montanans in far-flung areas. This was his latest gig before Curtis tapped him to run her campaign. The organization started in 1985 and tries to look after the interests of ranchers in Montana. Elliott lobbied the legislature on their behalf and now’s trying to lobby Montana voters on Curtis’ behalf. So how’s he doing? It seems on the money front he’s doing well, as Curtis has been raising some good cash. I’m worried those are just the hardcore faithful, and that donations might dry up in a month. I hope not. The campaign website isn’t that good, something James Connor on the Flathead Memo mentioned recently. Right now when I type in “Amanda Curtis” on Google it should be coming up higher in the rankings, but it’s not. Overall…I don’t know what to think. Hopefully this young guy can pull some tricks out of his hat and get Curtis elected.

This 2014 Montana Election Blog profiled my race as well as other races. But it did a lot more too. From exploring the state's budget and business interests to the environmental and social issues we face, this blog has loads of useful facts for intrepid researchers.